A combination of smooth neck, great-sounding electronics, and affordability.

Looking for quality and value? The Ibanez SR300 is the right choice with uncompromised features and unmatched affordability. It features the same-SR smooth and fast neck, reinforced with 5pc Maple/Rosewood woods, of much more expensive basses. The sleek arched lightweight Agathis body gives you excellent playing comfort. The CAP EXF-N2 pickups lend some serious growl that, with the combination with EQB-IIID 3-band eq, will get any sound you want.

After researching and talking to musicians about what bass I should pick up as a beginner, everything led to the Ibanez SR series. I chose the SR300 because it had the my favorite color, so I ordered the green one.

For the money, this is, as far as I can tell, a solid and reliable bass. The controls all work perfectly, pickups sound crisp, and the neck is easy to play on, regardless of hand/finger size. My only complaint is sometimes I have fret buzzing, but it's infrequent enough to not be a major problem.